SB 2684 Summary

• Creates a new class C felony offense for "cruelty to animals by fighting birds in the first degree" for knowingly causing, sponsoring, arranging, or holding bird fights; owning or training birds for fighting; or allowing minors to attend fights.

• Establishes a misdemeanor offense for "cruelty to animals by fighting birds in the second degree" for knowingly gambling on bird fights, attending bird fights, or possessing devices designed to enhance a bird's fighting ability, with penalties escalating to class C felony upon two or more convictions within five years.

• Imposes a mandatory five-year prohibition on possessing or owning birds for anyone convicted under the first degree offense.

• Authorizes forfeiture of property and birds used in violations, with all costs of care and housing of seized live birds borne by the offender.

• Amends existing cruelty to animals statute by removing the reference to "cock" fighting from general animal fighting provisions, as cockfighting is now covered separately under the new bird fighting statutes.